ICS: Global Shipping's Emissions 20% Lower

The reduction is even more impressive when taking into account that the amount of cargo transported by sea has grown since 2009.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has reported that between 2007 and 2012, the global shipping industry reduced the amount of its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.

Speaking on Tuesday at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, ICS said that the industry had produced only 2.2 percent of the world's total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in 2012, compared with 2.8 percent in 2007.

The figures are a part of a larger study released by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) which will be considered by its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) next month.

"The latest IMO study, which uses satellite tracking, suggests there's been a significant reduction in absolute CO2 emissions from ships due to the introduction of operational efficiency measures across the whole fleet," said ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe.

Such operational efficiency measures were said to have included sailing at slower speeds and creating more fuel-efficient vessels. 

Hinchcliffe noted that the reduction is even more impressive when taking into account that the amount of cargo transported by sea has grown since 2009. 

Global regulations were set in place in 2013 in an effort to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

"Given the very high cost of fuel which is soon set to increase by around 50% due to separate new rules on sulphur, the industry already has every incentive to deliver this," said Hinchliffe.

Shipping by sea currently makes up around 90% of all world trade.

The ICS urged the European Union earlier this year to wait on its plans to have ships monitor and report its CO2 emissions.